By Charlotte Gullick
Creative Writing Assistant Professor
“What I’ve learned from studying women in literature is that everyone has a different metaphor for life,” says a tall woman in her early 20s. A few seats away, a woman wearing the same outfit – black and gray state-issued pants and shirt, black Crocs on her feet – says, “I really liked studying Romeo and Juliet. I learned a lot about women and love.” The other 12 women in the room nod or murmur, many continuing to chew on their bologna sandwiches.
Jodi Jinks and Charlotte Gullick
I’m standing in one of the classrooms at the Travis County Correctional Complex (TCCC). I come here once a month to offer a lecture and discussion based on readings of literature and plays.
My work is supported in part by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts, and is called “Strength Through Study: Powerful Women.” It is a new component of a TCCC program, PRIDE (People Respecting the Inherent Dignity of Everyone).
When I began researching the program last October, TCCC Counselor Jennifer Scott shared with me that most of the women passing through the jail don’t have positive role models; when asked about a female role model, most named Oprah.
The aim of the Strength through Study grant program is to expose female inmates to women in literature and plays – either authors or the central characters of the literary work. An advisory board developed the program content in consultation with the head program instructor, ACC Drama Adjunct Professor Jodi Jinks.
Jinks’ extensive professional background with incarcerated individuals, combined with her theater expertise, makes her an ideal instructor. She works with the women twice a week for an hour and a half; over the course of about seven months, she leads the female inmates through substantive and eye-opening discussions of Romeo and Juliet, Gaslight, Roosters, Our Country’s Good, A Raisin in the Sun, Crimes of the Heart, The Wake of Jamey Foster, and August: Osage Country.
The women have the opportunity to explore the literature by reading the works aloud, watching a film adaptation, and discussing the roles of women in our society. In these sessions, Jodi creates a space for the inmates to be more than the charges against them; instead, they are thinkers, readers, writers, and students.
The grant program is based on a national model, one where academics connect with inmates through literary study. The most famous model, based out of Michigan, is called “Changing Lives through Literature.” It gives judges, probation officers, and inmates an opportunity to read and explore literature together.
Today at TCCC, we discuss the character of Angela in the play Roosters. She is desperate for the attention of her father, newly released from prison.
“Angela is, you know, innocent,” one woman suggests.
I ask, “What else can you tell me about her?”
“She’s one of those people who sacrifice for others,” says another.
“A martyr?” I offer.
She nods.
This exchange prompts a discussion of the meaning of the word martyr, how some people use their sacrifices to create guilt in those around them. We continue our discussion by further exploring Angela’s role in the family and the impact of machismo on women.
I offer the inmates a different perspective on literature – often drawing from my own experiences with the transformative power of art, which can create a path for healing and allow an individual to change the trajectory of her life.
My time in the jail is intense, powerful; I get as much from the women as I might possibly give. As a writer and a scholar, I lead discussions that connect themes in the literary works to possible themes in the women’s lives.
For example, after they read and discuss Romeo and Juliet, we talk about societal messages about the mythic requirements of a relationship. We then explore how society asks women to sacrifice.
I often ask them to write to themselves, as one of the characters, as a female ancestor sending a message through time, or as the mother they wish they had. The writings and follow-up discussion often lead to moments of vulnerability and insight.
Through these experiences, the women might begin to create a foundation for a path built on different choices, ones that allow them to value themselves, their children, and their communities. By exploring the challenges and strengths of literary characters, perhaps we can empower these women to become strong, positive forces in their own lives.
Charlotte Gullick is chair of the Creative Writing Department and is the author of the novel, By Way of Water, published in 2002. She is the first in her family to graduate from college and attended a community college for three years before she received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.
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By Sheila Andoh July 25, 2011 - 6:59 pm
I think this is a great opportunity for these women. They are getting exposed to a world in which they probably would never venture into. I feel Prof. Jodi Jinks is a great teacher and really loves what she is doing, which makes it even more exciting for those women who will be participating in this Strength through Study program. There are many things that can be learned through these works such as, life experiences and dealing with different situations, that can be applied to our life now, and in the future. I feel this program will be a great success and these women will be better because of it.
By Carla Jackson July 26, 2011 - 8:39 am
The programs that come out of Arts & Humanities are always inspiring and revolutionary. I feel lucky to be associated with such empathetic and creative people.
By Laura July 26, 2011 - 9:57 am
What a wonderful story. I am so glad this program exists. What a wonderful broadening of perspective for both the teacher and the students. For the students a lifelong love of learning will be kindled.
By lynne July 26, 2011 - 10:51 am
Great program! By the way, the Changing Lives Through Literature Program, which you cite as “the most famous” of this kind,was actually started in Massachusetts (not Michigan) by a professor (Robert Waxler) and a Judge (Robert Kane) back in 1991.
By Margot Rochon July 26, 2011 - 2:41 pm
This is the stuff of providence and jubilation–hats off to Charlotte, Jodi and those inmates who are forging new ground within themselves and this community!!!
By Patrick Collins July 28, 2011 - 4:15 pm
This sounds great! Congratulations on the work you’ve undertaken. I know of its value because of the prison program Richard Shelton offered for many years through the University of Arizona.The most well-known “graduate” from the Florence (AZ) Cretive Writing program is Jimmy Santiago Baca (although he doesn’t credit it in his memoir). But the program produced results (the publication of two anthologies by inmates). At the same time in Tucson, Will Inman was sponsoring a once a week Creative Writing group of the homeless which was pretty well attended. I’m also reminded of the theater program in the women’s prisons of Maine that toured the country in the early 90s. Sounds like y’all are creating another astounding (and much needed) program.
By Pam Rogers August 1, 2011 - 1:51 pm
Very powerful indeed. This is a very unique way to get women involved in something that is outside of their daily life. They will also have the sense of accomplishing something worthwhile. Many women incarcerated haven’t ready many books or plays. Perhaps they will manage to transform those experiences into positive ones — such as getting their GEDs and going on to further their education.
By Sunny August 3, 2011 - 4:28 pm
It’s just the kind of work Ms. Jodi would do. Her classes are awesome and the learning experience goes far beyond drama!
By Kathryn Benson August 5, 2011 - 11:36 am
Two of the best ladies in Arts and Humanities education today. Kudos to you both for your commitment to encouraging women to grow in a positive way.
By Donnalee August 6, 2011 - 12:31 pm
Sounds like a wonderful program for the inmates. Knowledge is so powerful!!
It awakens us more than we think possible.
By Bill J. from Austin August 28, 2011 - 2:53 pm
The words “If even one person is helped it will all be worthwhile” are too often followed by some statute or rule that is both intrusive and wholly ineffective. It may make those involved feel better, because they’re “doing something” about a problem, yet fail miserably in its intended purpose, and create unintended consequences far more damaging than whatever evil the proposal originally addressed.
However, in this case those words may actually apply, simply because so little truly DOES help inmates of our correctional institutions. I’ve often said “There is no redemption in Texas prisons,” because the Texas prison system, as it is operated, works AGAINST rehabilitation, rather than for it.
Hence, if even one women in Ms. Jinks’ and Ms. Gullick’s classes can rise above the circumstances that led to her imprisonment, and in turn create a better life for her family (and particularly her children), it really WILL have been worthwhile. Whether it’s the GED and higher education Ms. Rogers mentioned, or simply a clearer vision of what the ex-offender wants her life to be: the ripple effect from those “small” changes have the potential to spread throughout that woman’s home community (and into the larger world) in ways we can scarcely imagine.
Kudos to Ms. Gullick and Ms. Jinks for their efforts, and godspeed on the journey!